All-American safety T.J. McDonald has shown up in the box score lately. The senior was moved closer to the line of scrimmage after the first two games of the season to take advantage of his length and strength, while covering up depth issues in the front seven.
As a result, McDonald is leading the team in tackles (38). He has nine tackles in each of his last three games after averaging 5.5 in the first two.
Last year, he averaged 5.8 tackles per game, which is trumped by his 7.6 tackles per contest so far in 2012. He also made a game-changing interception undercutting an underneath route against Cal.
Going into the season, the Trojans had a glut of safeties with six experienced and talented players. With McDonald moving around, Monte Kiffin has often deployed three safeties on the field at the same time, which could increase to four with Josh Shaw at corner.
In the bigger picture, McDonald's increased presence around the ball has helped the defense improve from No. 54 in 2011 to No. 30 in 2012.
As a result, McDonald is leading the team in tackles (38). He has nine tackles in each of his last three games after averaging 5.5 in the first two.
Last year, he averaged 5.8 tackles per game, which is trumped by his 7.6 tackles per contest so far in 2012. He also made a game-changing interception undercutting an underneath route against Cal.
Going into the season, the Trojans had a glut of safeties with six experienced and talented players. With McDonald moving around, Monte Kiffin has often deployed three safeties on the field at the same time, which could increase to four with Josh Shaw at corner.
In the bigger picture, McDonald's increased presence around the ball has helped the defense improve from No. 54 in 2011 to No. 30 in 2012.
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